Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.
Additional Information
1. Frames or receivers of firearms are "firearms" as defined in the law and subject to the same controls as complete firearms.
2. Have a good lockable case that will securely hold your firearm (the shorter the better). The case is going to take a beating, make sure it's sturdy.
a. The firearm must be unloaded.
b. The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort do not meet this criterion.
c. A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase or duffle bag.
3. Don't place shooting related stickers or labels on the case.
4. Curbside check-in of a firearm is not permitted.
5. Arrive earlier then recommended (45 minutes to an hour).
6. When you check in at the counter, tell them you have a unloaded firearm. They will ask you if it's unloaded, and they will/should ask you to inspect it and then they will give you an orange tag (Firearm Declaration Form SS-161) to sign stating it's not loaded. This tag goes inside the case. After you put the tag inside the case, lock it!
7. Depending on the airport, they may either direct you to take your gun to the TSA booth, or take the gun to the TSA booth for you. The TSA agent will ask you to open the case so it can be inspected. After it's inspected make sure you lock it again.
8. Don't let anyone other than the security officer have your key or have the combination, as the law requires that only you have the ability to open the case after it's inspected by TSA (TSA Recognized Baggage Locks Are Allowed, Use at your Own Risk).
9. Insure your travel insurance policy and/or homeowners insurance or a rider (replacement value) covers the firearm and container. Most airlines offer insurance, check before you arrive.
a. You typically won't be reimbursed for normal wear and tear of baggage; damage to wheels, feet, and extending handles; damage to an over-packed bag; and loss of external locks, pull straps or security straps.
b. If relying on homeowners insurance verify it covers your firearm (and case) when not in the home.
c. Take photos when packing.
d. If your packing other items with the firearm make a packing list.
e. Keep in mind that you will be reimbursed for the depreciated value of your items by the airlines.
f. If your bag goes missing after you've left the baggage claim area, your claim is no longer with the airline, but with the police.
10. Ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed, however airlines may require the firearm and ammuntion be seperated. Consult your air carrier to determine quantity limitations or whether the ammunition must be packed separately from the firearm.
Check with your airline to see if there are limitations, such as weight or packaging. Most, if not all, only allow 11 pounds gross weight (five Kgs.) for both ammunition and packaging. A target shooter may find it worthwhile to make arrangements to have ammunition available for purchase at the destination.
The ammunition must travel in the manufacturer's packaging or other packaging suitable for transport, such as a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, or metal box specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition to prevent movement of cartridges.
Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).
For clay target shooters; outside of small gauge shells, consider a purchase at the destination.
TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut. These locks are available at airports and travel stores nationwide. The packaging on the locks indicates whether they can be opened by TSA.
Thank you for your e-mail about using Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-recognized locks to secure firearm cases.
Passengers may use TSA-recognized locks to secure firearm cases. However, TSA does not recommend or endorse any specific brand or type of lock to use on firearm containers.

Non-shooters may not know what snap caps are and consider them ammunition.
Leave gun cleaning fluids, to include spray cans and bottles at home.
Spare parts must be left with the firearm.
Posted By: Joe Potosky
The Lost Target